Technology that transmits data as pulses of light through thin strands of glass or plastic, enabling very high-speed communication.
A fiber optic cable contains hair-thin glass fibers. Light travels down each fiber by bouncing off its inner walls, a principle called total internal reflection. Because light can carry enormous amounts of information and is not affected by electromagnetic interference, fiber offers far more bandwidth over longer distances than copper cables.
Fiber forms the backbone of the internet, including the undersea cables that connect continents. Fiber-to-the-home broadband brings this capacity directly to households, supporting fast, often symmetrical upload and download speeds. Installation can be costly because cables must be laid underground or along poles, which is why rollout varies widely between and within countries. Single-mode fiber suits long distances, while multi-mode fiber is common inside buildings.
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